Meat shop operator gunned down in Mount Salem

Despite being declared a zone of special operations since 2017 , and under curfew between Monday and Wednesday, Mount Salem in St James continues to be plagued by gunmen intent on wreaking havoc.

Yesterday, they snuffed out the life of a popular meat shop operator, 45-year-old Clive Lawson. Reports are that about 4:45 p.m., Lawson, who operated Lawson's Meat Mart along Mount Salem main road, was standing outside his shop when two men armed with handguns walked up to him and opened fire, killing him on the spot. The gunmen then ran from the scene and escaped in a waiting motor car. The police were summoned and upon arrival, the scene was processed and Lawson's body was removed to the morgue for post-mortem.

Lawson's murder came after two men from Crawford Street were gunned down on Monday. They have been identified as Gavin Mills, 35, and Bowe Downer, 24. Residents told the news team that they believe Lawson's killing was a reprisal attack.

"This naw done suh, mi sure a that. Tomorrow morning mi a tek mi two pickney dem and find some weh else go, because mi naw stay up yah an mek dem come kill mi," a female resident told THE STAR. "All a wi a one. Mi know Clive like a mi bredda, and mi know the two youth dem who dem kill Monday like a mi son dem. What mi see a gwan nuh look good, and it not going to end suh, whether curfew, ZOSO or state a emergency."

Residents said that Lawson was one of the best community members, who was kind, loving, always ready to help others, and like a brother and father to many youngsters.